Iran executed German-Iranian dissident Jamshid Sharmahd on charges of orchestrating violent actions and “leading terror operations,” according to state reports. Sharmahd was linked to the US-based pro-monarchist group Tondar, also known as the Kingdom Assembly of Iran, which advocates for reinstating Iran’s pre-1979 monarchy.
Though authorities claimed he led and planned attacks inside Iran, Sharmahd maintained his innocence, stating he was only a spokesperson. His family reinforced this, asserting he was unjustly accused and unfairly treated. His sentencing last year for “corruption on Earth” has sparked international controversy, with many viewing it as a politically motivated prosecution.
The German government, led by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, strongly condemned the execution. Baerbock warned Tehran that executing a German citizen would bring “serious consequences,” underscoring the growing tensions between Iran and Western nations.
Germany, alongside other governments, has consistently criticized Iran’s treatment of foreign nationals, especially those involved in political activism. Baerbock’s comments reflect a strong diplomatic stance against Iran’s regime, which has received sharp criticism over its handling of political dissidents and dual citizens.
Iran Executes German-Iranian Dissident Jamshid Sharmahd, Prompting Strong Condemnation from Germany and Human Rights Groups
Human rights groups worldwide, including Amnesty International and the Norway-based Iran Human Rights, denounced the trial and execution process, calling it a violation of international norms. They allege Sharmahd was kidnapped by Iranian agents in Dubai in 2020 and brought to Iran under opaque circumstances.
Furthermore, Amnesty International stated Sharmahd was coerced into confessing after reportedly being tortured, which raises serious concerns about the conditions of his detention and the validity of his confession. These groups argue that his case exemplifies the alarming pattern of Iranian authorities targeting and silencing dissent.
The Tondar group itself has been accused by Iranian authorities of planning numerous attacks within Iran, including a deadly 2008 mosque bombing in Shiraz. Iranian media also released video footage of Sharmahd blindfolded and allegedly confessing to various crimes, though many believe these confessions were coerced.
While authorities have presented Sharmahd as a key figure in orchestrating violence, his family has firmly denied these accusations, emphasizing that he was involved only as a spokesperson. Tondar’s goal of restoring Iran’s monarchy places it at odds with the Islamic Republic, making its members frequent targets of government crackdowns.
Gazelle Sharmahd, his daughter, has actively campaigned for German intervention, criticizing the Iranian judiciary’s treatment of her father and describing his confinement as a protracted ordeal of isolation and suffering. She fears that his execution was used as a public message to instill fear among other dissenters.
Following his death, international attention has focused sharply on Iran’s human rights record and its treatment of political prisoners, adding to the mounting criticism of its judicial practices. This case has further strained Iran’s relations with Western countries, as it highlights the serious risks faced by political dissidents and dual citizens in Iran.
